"Are those rocks in there?" and the dishwasher door was screwed shut

My IT consulting side gig has picked up so I haven't been hunting much for scrap the past month now, just picking up from my regulars when they email or text me.

Today since it's so nice out, I finally loaded up most of the stuff I had in my backyard from picking up from regulars the past few weeks and took it to the yard close by.

I don't pick dishwashers up unless they are on the way somewhere or are part of picking up other things etc... but this load I have one that I had loaded up with small metal junk from things I had disassembled - screws and what not. I do that all the time but by chance there's never anyone in the yard when I am unloading one - except this time. Both yard people turn and look as I slide it off the truck, and one of them that I know pretty well there asks me "you got rocks in there?" - ha ha... but it really did sound like too LOL.

This is where I looked especially guilty cause' I had the dishwasher screwed shut (2 screws into the top of the door from the metal frame where it attaches to the bottom of the counter) because in my experience, door flies open and there's screws and other tire popping materials everywhere if you don't - IF you utilize the space to hold things. So I tell them, "let me unscrew it really quick... " "No it's OK no need to" but I do it anyway (really long screws and I left my drill at home). I didn't even leave the plastic utensil tray inside, just the metal racks and small metal junk including a transformer (with no copper). \

They know me but I understand and I wasn't offended or anything, cause they really don't know me "in the real world" other than some guy named "Mike" with a truck that unloads scrap there.

Makes me wonder how many people actually load up appliances with rocks or wood etc.. It was just funny as heck to me cause it looked so bad having it screwed shut lol.

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Scrap (or "shred") was back up to 100/ton from 90/ton. I guess it's the same profit margin because the cost of fuel went back up.

A guy named Mike that was so concerned about other customers that he did not want to be responsible for a flat tire. You just made "brownie points" with the yard and I would say they know you now in the real world. There are plenty that try to "screw the yard." I have seen semi's with dump trailers filled with water and the magnet cannot see the bottom of the trailer. They dump the water on the way to the scale. Big benefits will come to those that are honest and respectable while the rest will have to find another yard.

Some washing machines ( side loaders) & clothes driers actually do have large lumps of concrete inside them.
It's designed to stop the machine from 'walking' across the floor & sometimes balance them.

I was doubled questioned once about "'topping up those car battery's with water".
It surprised me that they said that because i wouldn't & hadn't.
I mentioned it to somebody & thy asked me "If they were 4WD or Boat battery's?"
& I said "Yes they were" & he explains that they have much heavier plates so they don't break up because of vibrations.
Makes sense now. I didn't know & it was something I could tell the scrap guy next time I went in there.
He said it made sense & I think after that they seperated those battery's out because pricing might have been better.

I had to go a different yard as truck full and yard closed due to a water line break. Had to open up file cabinets as I had small items in there, they thought it was rocks as well. As for car batteries for some reason the ones I find are always full of fluid!

I use Christmas popcorn tins for my screws and other small bits. I have opened them from time to time when asked. It does go a long way with respect in the yard, looking after people. At my previous yard I would just unload the popcorn tin up with the nonferrous so they can keep it off to the side. Good on you.

I use 5 gallon buckets for screws and small bits. I also get buckets of shavings and turning from my buddy that is a machinist. They ride shotgun with me to the yard and i dump it in a dryer or oven that i brought. And if i dont have a dryer or oven, i ask the yard worker and he finds something to dump it in. I cant stand all those nails all over the place when backing in. I always check before i back all the way up to the pile. It also dosnt hurt to keep a broom in the truck for such occasions.

In my case adding screws, nails, etc. to an appliance does not make sense. Appliances are only paying $ 25 per ton and prepared steel is $ 140.

I just use plastic soda bottles to hold my screws, bolts and nails. when it is filled, just screw the lid on and toss it in the pile when I take a load in. the yard has seen it, and appreciate it that I keep the tire popping items contained.

I use old microwave ovens & self tapping screw the door shut.
They turn out to be about 15kgs, about the weight of a good car battery.

Thats about 33Lbs for people who like to brag about the bigger weights that they can lift.

For other bigger but not too big bits of lightgauge, I have been using washing machine cases, just finding something to fit it snugly for a good weight bearing bottom end & then slowly filling it up to the top.
It can still be shifted with a sack barrow, is cubic so it does not waste much space n the shed & fits a trailer nicely, and tips off it nicely at the scrapyard.

I hauled scrap to a yard years ago that had to check cars for rocks. It's amazing what falls out when the machine picks the car up and shakes it. It's a good way to get on the bad side of the yard. OTOH we know if you work with them they'll work with you. We scrapped out five wrecked aluminum rail car hoppers. They provided preweighed pallets. And there's always the bump for those that play nice.